What makes Distant is the Sun by Vanishing Point notable?

The album received critical acclaim for its ambitious compositions and lyrical depth, contributing to the band's reputation within the progressive metal community. It showcased a successful return to form that appealed to both long-time fans and new listeners, further establishing Vanishing Point's influence in the genre. Released in 2014, Distant Is the Sun is Vanishing Point's fifth studio album, following their 2007 effort, The Fourth Season. At this point, the band was solidifying their place in the progressive metal scene after a seven-year hiatus, showcasing both maturity and evolution in their sound.

How many songs are on Distant is the Sun?

Distant is the Sun has 15 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Distant is the Sun

Vanishing Point · 2014

68 min · 15 tracks · progressive metal

A blend of soaring melodies and intricate rhythms, merging progressive metal with a deep emotional undercurrent.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Distant Is the Sun — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of longing and introspection, featuring powerful vocals paired with dynamic instrumentals that exemplify the band's signature style.
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King of Empty Promises — This track stands out due to its driving rhythm and poignant lyrics that critique disillusionment, making it a memorable highlight on the album.
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Let the River Run — With its sweeping melodies and emotional intensity, this song showcases the band's ability to blend heavy instrumentation with heartfelt storytelling, marking it as a standout piece.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

56 /100

Foothills

Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The album features ambitious compositions and strong performances but lacks a cohesive flow throughout its length.

What we noticed

The album opens with an instrumental intro that sets a somber tone, followed by a shift to more aggressive tracks featuring complex guitar riffs.
Several songs feature extended instrumental sections that showcase the band's technical proficiency, often alternating between heavy and melodic passages.
The lyrical themes explore emotional struggles and introspection, with a consistent use of metaphor across multiple tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Beyond Redemption (intro) 1:01
2 King of Empty Promises 4:48
3 Distant Is the Sun 4:47
4 When Truth Lies 5:18
5 Circle of Fire 4:48
6 Let the River Run 5:56
7 Denied Deliverance 4:30
8 Story of Misery 4:44
9 Era Zero 3:30
10 Pillars of Sand 5:51
11 As December Fades 4:31
12 Handful of Hope 4:20
13 Walls of Silence 4:35
14 April (instrumental) 4:28
15 The Endless Road 5:49

What to play next

Listen next

Dead Elysium

2020

Go back to

The Fourth Season

2007

Full Vanishing Point discography Artists like Vanishing Point

progressive metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata